Orcutt Mom Pleads Guilty to Child Abduction

Michelle Christine Gibbs, the Orcutt mother charged with with abducting her two daughters in February 2015, has pled guilty to one felony count of child abduction. The Santa Barbara County District Attorney made the announcement on Wednesday.

Following a custody hearing in Santa Barbara County Superior Court, the children’s father was granted visitation rights; shortly thereafter, Michelle Christine Gibbs abducted her two daughters, ages six and four, and fled the area.

On August 18, 2015, Michelle Christine Gibbs surrendered herself at the U.S. Consular Agency in Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Her children were with her.

Gibbs’ sentencing is scheduled for June 1. The DA’s Office expects Gibbs to be placed on three years probation and receive 120 days in county jail.